Movie break

I've been in a movie-watching mood lately. I think the cold weather and long nights caused it. I'm going to rate the movies I've seen lately on a scale of 1 to 5. (My thoughts and opinions only, which probably aren't even worth two cents.)

Christmas with the Kranks: 3, good but I'd expected it to be better. I think it was the characters' motivations I wondered about.

The Notebook: 4 or 3, really well-done movie but heart-wrenching. It evoked all kinds of emotion in me, unfortunately it was the sad/depressed/nostalgic/heartbroken kind of emotion which I had to drive away a couple days later by reading something uplifting. I really don't deal well with movies like this. I'm sure it will become a much-loved classic, but I can never watch it again. This is why I write romance with the happy ending.

The Truman Show: 5, interesting! I like most Jim Carey movies (with the exception of a couple). He does a great job getting into character.

Bewitched: 4, I like Nicole Kidman. Probably because I'm a writer, I noticed the beginning of her GMC (goal, motivation and conflict) was so clear I could've drawn a diagram.

Anchorman: 1, don't even ask.

The Whole Ten Yards: 2, what is it with all these hired assassin movies? Is assassin now the highest 'high concept' in Hollywood? I liked that it was unusual and quirky.

Ladykillers: 4, I liked it a lot. Very unusual, interesting movie. Talk about contrasts! The group of characters were all over the map. Surprise ending too. Definitely held my attention.

The Prince and Me: 4, I enjoyed this romance, though it seemed more targeted at a teen audience. It was very much like a modern day fairy tale. I liked the characters.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith: 5, truly loved it! I've heard others say they didn't care for it because of lack of characterization. I interpreted this aspect as that they were going for subtlety and didn't want to give away too much up front. I found the big fight scene hilarious. I felt guilty enjoying that magnitude of domestic violence. The whole movie was like a train wreck waiting to happen. I'll probably have to watch it again.

Deuce Bigelow European Gigolo: 2, silly but it was good for a laugh or two. I chose it for my husband because I know he likes that type movie. We are totally opposite in sense of humor.

Jersey Girl: 4, I enjoyed this movie but the first 45 minutes or so are heartbreaking and will make even an ice queen cry. Jeez! But the middle and end were both funny and touching.

Please forgive any misspellings or opinions you don't agree with. If you've seen a great movie recently, please recommend it.

What does the above photo of a Scottish castle have to do with the movies I've watched? I have no idea, except . . . wouldn't this be a great place for a movie to be set? Or a book. Yes, definitely a book. :-)

Here is a funny Christmas quote I found. "There is a remarkable breakdown of taste and intelligence at Christmastime. Mature, responsible grown men wear neckties made of holly leaves and drink alcoholic beverages with raw egg yolks and cottage cheese in them." ~P.J. O'Rourke